New jersey Nets guard Rafer Alston expects to start the NBA regular season with either the New York Knicks or the Miami Heat, according to a source close to the situation.

"New York and Miami are the top two teams on Rafer's list," said the source. "He can't play in a contract year in New jersey behind Devin Harris and Keyon Dooling."

Rafer AlstonAlston, along with Tony Battie and Courtney Lee, was acquired by New jersey in a draft day trade that sent Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to Orlando.

With only one year left on his contract, Alston is an attractive piece for the Knicks for a plethora of reasons. He gives New York a bona fide point guard that started for the Magic in last year's NBA Finals, while not jeopardizing the team's cap space in the precious summer of 2010. Alston has one year left on his current contract at $5.25 million dollars.

His innovative offensive style would seem to mesh well with Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni.

"(Mike) D'Antoni might be the only coach in the league that would let Rafer be Rafer," the source said.

While the Knicks offer an opportunity for Alston to play in his hometown, the chance to play with Dwyane Wade and Miami might be more likely and attractive.

"(Dwyane) Wade loves Rafer," the source said.

Alston spent one year in Miami and was the starting point guard when the Heat lost to the Indiana Pacers in the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

With Wade flirting to bolt next summer via free agency, adding Alston could help placate their franchise player while forming a nice point guard combination with he and second-year guard Mario Chalmers.

The fact that Houston traded him mid-season when Brooks was anything but proven and add to the fact that the Magic got rid of him quickly once the off season hit shows that he still has some mental issues. Hell, watching some of that finals, you could tell he was visibly upset at being taken out of the game in favor of Jameer.

If Alston really HAD changed his ways, the Magic would keep him. But he hasn't. The guy thinks he's a starter and sure, let him go to Miami where he'll still back up. He may have playoff experience, but he's never been the focal point of an offense, so all he knows about winning is passing the ball and getting out of the way and he's not a consistent scorer. More of a streaky guy.

Hey Claudius, I see what ur sayin' but honestly, I think Alston had a case to be very upset. I mean he helped to facilitate the offense when Nelson went down and was a part of the reason the magic made it to the finals. All considered, it seems he handled the situation fairly well.

Alston IS streaky, but when asked to be more aggressive offensively i think he can get the job done. Case in point, when Van Gundy asked him to be play more like "Skip" during the playoffs, he was able to get it done for the most part. Alston is at his best offensively when he attacks the rim...he's got a nasty little floater.

If he were to go to Miami, there might be a case for him to start. If not, then if he can handle being a backup I think he would fit in nicely.